a week after america elected barack obama for another four years, china is going through its own political transition, and it certainly could not be more different. >> instead of a messy, unpredictable election campaign, this one is a carefully planned handover from one generation to the next, and it does seem to be going to plan. >> today, the new leader of the election committee will be appointed, and from there, he will soon will power as china's next president. >> everything on the closing day was perfectly choreographed to give the impression of harmony, including the voting and the applause. there was not much to argue about anyway. most of the key personnel changes had been cleared in advance of the congress. the vice president wascted to the central committee. he takes over as party chief. in march, he will succeed hu jintao as party president. >> we should free up our minds and implement reform policies. we must pool our strengths, overcome difficulties, and move forward all along the path of chinese-style socialism. >> the vice premier also joins the central committee. he is set